Confucianism and Legalism

Ancient China's system of government was very erratic, and as the mandate of heaven changed hands, so did the ruling body. The conflict at the end of the Zhou Empire was a result of the end of the dynastic cycle; corruption infiltrated the government and the system fell apart to war between states for power and peasant revolts. This lead a philosopher named Confucius to develop a set of ideals to live by. These codes were built on such virtues as honesty, trust, responsibility, and honor (Doc1). The drastic transition from Confucianism to its opposite, legalism is said to be the result of rulers who were open to new ideas on how to govern their ever growing empires. Sayings like "There is more than one way to bring peace to the world and no need to follow the past," influenced leaders. They were told that a strong government depended not on the moral values of its leader, but rather on strong institutions and laws (Doc6). Emperor Shi Huang Di used harsh punishments and ruthless tactics to maintain power, and thus was born legalism. The two system's views on different issues contrasted greatly.

Confucius incorporated into his philosophy li, which was based on five fundamental relationships. One of those was the relationship between rulers and subject, in which the ruler has a higher status. He believed that a ruler should lead by virtue. This would give his people a sense of shame and standards. If he lead by policy and rules, they would live as they wished, avoiding the law, and have no honor (Doc1). The legalist point of view is the opposite; they believed that goodness alone cannot keep order in unruly people, and force can always secure obedience. They thought that the people should suffer mildly to achieve a greater good (Doc3). The Confucianism adherents believed that leading by example was the key, but the legalists held faith in rule through law.

Another relationship was the bond between ruler and minister. Confucianist...

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

...In ancient China, many different rulers tried to unify and rule the country using a variety of methods – Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism to name a few. Each philosophy had its own set of rules of how people should act both in public and privately. The overall goal of each philosophy was to set a standard of acceptable living that would ensure harmony and success for the society. However, each was different and thus had different results. The best way for the people of China to succeed in a harmonious, respectable society occurred when both Confucianism and Legalism were combined.
Confucianism resulted from a Chinese philosopher named Kongfuzi (551-479 B.C.E), also known as Confucius, becoming disheartened with the way the government ignored his ideas of how to create a just, harmonious society. His teachings, which he had passed on to his followers/students, include the Analects. It is within this document that he tried to teach men how to be gentlemen. If a man were able to follow the steps to becoming a gentleman and complete the duties of his status, that gentleman could influence others in society to be honorable, hard working, honest, and just. However, within Confucianism, class and gender was a huge factor. Women were often considered less important as were lower class peoples. Only the well off male members of society could receive the required education required to be a...

...Andrew Simedru
Ms. Komar
AP World History
September 3, 2013
Comparing and Contrasting Confucianism and Legalism
Confucius once said, “The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.” Amidst the chaos of political instability and constant warring of the Zhou era, many philosophers arose that impacted China in the fields of politics, religion, and philosophy. Two of these philosophers were Confucius, who lived from 551 to 479 B.C.E., and Han Feizi, who lived around 233 B.C.E. These two created the Confucianism and Legalism that significantly changed the society is still in use in modern China. Confucianism became the dominant way of thinking and the later philosophy of Legalism gained immense recognition as well. Each party had their own proposals for creating a better, harmonious society through the leaders, government, and individual lives of the people. Both approaches were very distinct but at the same time, they contained similarities as well.
Confucianism resulted from a Chinese philosopher named Kongfuzi (551-479 B.C.E), also known as Confucius, becoming disheartened with the way the government ignored his ideas of how to create a just, harmonious society. His teachings, which he had passed on to his followers/students, include the Analects. It is within this document that he tried to teach men how to be...

...31
Zalenski 2A
October 18, 2011
Confucianism and LegalismConfucianism and Legalism were two philosophies developed by scholars as solutions to a period of disorder in China. Confucianism and Legalism are similar in that both originated during the Chinese Classical Period; however, they are different in government because Confucianism focuses on having an orderly, respectful, and successful ruler, while Legalism focuses on having an forceful and omnipotent ruler.
In addition, education is extremely important in Confucianism, as opposed to the Legalist belief that people should never gain much knowledge.
Both Confucianism and Legalism were developed in China during the Classical Period as solutions to bring back peace and harmony to the area. After the decline of the Zhou dynasty, there was a breakdown of social order (The Period of Warring States), so Chinese scholars and philosophers looked for ways to bring back a state of order and peace. Two different schools of thought, Confucianism and Legalism, developed as ways to move China out of chaos and help it return to stability. Another philosophy, Daoism, is similar to Confucianism and Legalism because it was also developed during the Classical Period in China as a solution to the disorder.
The styles...

...warring of the Zhou era, arose many intellectual thinkers that brought such a profound impact in the fields of politics, religion, and philosophy. Even to this day, their influence can be seen on the many matters of China. Confucianism became the paramount school of thinking and later significant philosophies such as Daoism and Legalism gained immense recognition as well. Each party had their own proposals for creating an idealistic political society where the many problems they faced in their everyday lives could be eliminated. All three approaches were very distinct but at the same time, they contained similarities as well. In my reasoning, I find that Confucianism and Daoism could be paralled in many ways to find several common grounds. On the other hand, Legalism goes on to take a more unique approach which was much different from the previous two.
Confucius was born in 551 B.C.E, to a poor family of the lower nobility. Throughout his life, he relentlessly tried to gain an office with a prominent ruler of the time who was willing to adopt his various concepts. Unfortunately, Confucius died in 479B.C.E., before such a change ever took place. However, he succeeded in winning over a handful of devote followers who continued his legacy and Confucianism later went on to become one of the most influential thought systems of Chinese history. Of his followers, Mencius and Xunzi became one of the...

...at the same time appeared foreign to most dynasties of early China. In early Chinese times, after the Period of the Warring States, two ideologies emerged: Legalism and Confucianism. Legalism stressed a strong central government that expressed harsh laws while Confucianism had a decentralized government, placing trust in conscientious and learned individuals to work together to solve political issues. These two schools of thought were in stark contrast to each other and, up until the Han dynasty, had never been combined with each other through government policy. The Qin dynasty, for example implemented a strict Legalist government while the Zhou dynasty applied a decentralized Confucianist government, which, as with the Qin dynasty, did not last long. As opposed to the Qin and Zhou dynasties, the combination of Legalist and Confucianist values led to a successful government in the Han dynasty because it gave way to a strong central government along with a rise in cultural and intellectual thinking while also checking each of the ideologies to prevent one from becoming too dominant.
Dynasties such as the Qin and Zhou dynasty showed how the practice of just one ideology in their government was the main catalyst leading to demise. Qin Shihuangdi of the Qin dynasty for example, ruled on the basis of Legalism. While Legalism created a strong centralized government with political organization,...

...
Goldsmith Rm 311
Comparing and Contrasting Confucianism and Legalism
During the late Zhou Dynasty in China, war and social changes were disrupting the old ways
of life. In order to restore social order, philosophers like Confucius developed Confucianism and
Hanfeizi created Legalism. These philosophies have benefited China’s society and many beliefs
were used in future generations. Both Confucianism and Legalism influenced the lives of its
followers and the society in which it was practiced by developing contrasting and similar
beliefs, laws for a government, and educational knowledge. As a result, these two
philosophies brought a stable and organized society.
Both Confucianism and Legalism influenced the lives of its followers and the society in
which it was practiced by developing contrasting and similar beliefs. For example, Confucius
stressed the five key relationships to bring harmony and peace. These relationships include:
father to son, elder brother...

...Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism were 3 philosophies. They all had a different way of teaching but all of them wanted to end the conflicts in China. In Confucianism everyone had a rule that they had to follow. Confucius believed that well organized society need to have younger ones respect the elders and their parents. Good government and social order should be based on a strong relationship in the family. It also believes that education was important for self and society. Daoism (Taoism) is all about interacting with the society and the world as it already is. Daoism is the understanding of how the world actually works, as in reality isn’t always what we expect. Legalism believed in punishments to maintain social orders and the “free” thinkers with their ideas shouldn’t be spread and should be under the government’s control. They also believed a powerful government is the key to organized society/social order.
Confucianism is about respect to elders and education was also important. Confucianism also believed in life goals and what you need to achieve. But on the other hand Daoism is all about knowing and understand how the world works around you. And not try to change it but try to working with it. It proves that Confucianism is not about nature and world but Daoism is. That is why China was able to accept 2 different basic belief systems.
Han dynasty saw a lot of...

...another mistake.
* The superior man blames himself; the
inferior man blames others.
* 372 - 289 B.C.E.
* Disciple of Confucius.
* Starts off with the assumption that
“people
are basically good.”
* If someone does something bad,
education,
not punishment, is the answer.
 Good people will mend their ways
* The emperor is the example of
proper behavior --> “big
daddy”
* Social relationships are based
on
“rites” or “rituals.”
* Even religious rituals are
important for SOCIAL, not
INDIA
1. Brahmin
2.
Kshatriyas
3. Vaishyas
4. Shudras
Untouchab
les
CHINA
1. ScholarGentry
2. Peasants
3. Artisans
4.
Merchants
Soldiers
Imperial
Domestic
Nobility
Slaves
* 280? - 233 B.C.E.
* Han Fe Zi.
* Lived during the
late Warring
States
period.
* Legalism became
the political
philosophy of the
Qin [Ch’in]
1. Human nature is naturally
selfish.
2. Intellectualism and literacy is
discouraged.
3. Law is the supreme authority
and
replaces morality.
4. The ruler must rule with a
strong,
punishing hand.
One who favors the
principle that individuals
should obey a powerful
authority rather than
exercise individual
freedom.
The ruler, therefore,
“cracks his whip” on the
backs of his subjects!
* Not sure when
he
died.
[604 B.C.E. - ?]
* His name
means
“Old Master”
* Was he
Confucius’
* The basic text of Daoism.
* In Chinese, it means The Classic
in
the Way and Its Power.
* “Those who speak know nothing:
Those who know are silent.”
These words, I am told,
Were spoken by...